Virtusa Acquires Bengaluru-based SmartSoC, Enters Semiconductor Engineering With Full Chip-to-Cloud Capabilities

Virtusa Corporation, a leading product and platform engineering services company, today announced the acquisition of SmartSoC Solutions, the Bengaluru-based leader in semiconductor engineering and integrated circuit (IC) design services. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for Virtusa, immediately expanding its industry portfolio to include the high-growth semiconductor sector and completing its full-stack, end-to-end service capabilities, spanning the entire digital technology ecosystem from the chip to the network, cloud, and application layer. The integration of SmartSoC, with its deep expertise in silicon design, verification, and embedded systems engineering, firmly positions Virtusa to capitalize on the secular demand for advanced silicon driven by global digital transformation.

The acquisition also establishes Virtusa’s semiconductor engineering footprint in India and strengthens its global delivery capabilities by integrating SmartSoC’s engineering presence across Bengaluru, Hubli and Hyderabad, including a significant tier-2 delivery centre in Hubli. Additionally, the move brings more than 1,400 highly skilled engineers with depth in VLSI, physical design and embedded software, further strengthening Virtusa’s capacity to deliver high-quality, cost-effective engineering services at scale.

Nitesh Banga, President & CEO, Virtusa Corporation

Commenting on the acquisition, Nitesh Banga, Chief Executive Officer of Virtusa, said “The acquisition of SmartSoC is transformational for Virtusa. It immediately establishes us as a key player in the high-growth semiconductor engineering space, completing our vision for a full-stack offering that can serve clients from the foundational silicon layer all the way through to the customer application. As AI models become more complex and data centre investment surges globally, having in-house chip design capabilities is crucial. This move not only diversifies our industry presence but ensures we are architecting the future, from the base layer of silicon up, positioning us at the very heart of innovation.”

The existing leadership team, led by Chief Executive Officer Bharath Desareddy, will remain unchanged and continue to oversee all delivery programs and client engagements. All current project structures, contractual commitments and service agreements will continue as they are.

Bharath Desareddy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SmartSoC Solutions, said, “Joining forces with Virtusa is an incredible opportunity for the SmartSoC team and our customers. Our combined strengths create a unique market proposition: a comprehensive, end-to-end digital engineering partner with true chip-to-cloud capabilities. Virtusa’s global scale, deep relationships with Fortune 100 clients, and digital engineering heritage will allow us to accelerate our growth, expand our service offerings, and immediately bring significant value to the world’s leading semiconductor and technology companies. We are excited to combine our specialized engineering talent with Virtusa's commitment to client excellence.”

The semiconductor and systems engineering market is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by the massive increase in the building of smarter devices and the exponentially increasing investments in data centres and AI infrastructure. As the world rapidly shifts toward generative AI and edge computing and beyond, the need for cutting-edge, power-efficient chip design is critical. This acquisition positions Virtusa at the forefront of innovation in chip design, enabling clients to accelerate time-to-market for next-generation products.

SmartSoC and CDAC's ChipIN Team Up to Offer Free Validation and Foundry Support for India’s Semiconductor Startups

SmartSoC Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a leading semiconductor and embedded engineering services company, has announced its collaboration with the ChipIN Center at Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) to support India’s Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Programme. Through this initiative, SmartSoC will extend access to its advanced Post-Silicon Validation (PSV) services to DLI-registered startups and MSMEs on a pro-bono basis, while also offering multiple foundry options within the startup ecosystem.

This collaboration aims to address some of the most critical challenges faced by semiconductor startups in India— including access to diverse foundry services and world class backend validation and characterization infrastructure. By bridging these gaps, SmartSoC and CDAC will empower innovators to accelerate the journey from chip design to commercialization, reduce time-to-market, and strengthen their global competitiveness.

Bharath Desareddy, CEO of SmartSoC

“We are proud to be chosen as an engineering collaborator providing vital support to chip innovators in India. This is more than business—it’s our mission. We understand the tough journey from design to functional silicon. SmartSoC pledges to be the one-stop partner guiding startups through real-world complexities. Together, we will build a self-reliant India by leading the semiconductor revolution, not just participating in it.” said Bharath Desareddy, CEO of SmartSoC.

SmartSoC is one of the first Indian companies to partner with multiple foundries, aiming to provide startups with more options so they can select the best fit for their unique design needs. The Post-Silicon Validation services offered by SmartSoC allow startups to rigorously test silicon prototypes against functional, performance, and electrical benchmarks, ensuring compliance with international standards before mass production. These essential services, often unattainable for smaller players due to high costs, are being made accessible to help level the playing field, boost startup credibility, and support their journey to success.

This initiative complements SmartSoC’s ongoing contributions to the DLI Scheme, where the company serves as an engineering collaborator providing end-to-end post-silicon validation, SoC design and verification, physical design, embedded software development, and product engineering support. SmartSoC is actively contributing to advancing India's semiconductor research and development landscape and enabling faster commercialization of indigenous technologies.

“We are proud to partner with SmartSoC Solutions to provide Post-Silicon Validation services and multiple foundry options to startups under the DLI Scheme. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to empowering Indian startups and MSMEs with world-class semiconductor design infrastructure, accelerating innovation, and strengthening India’s self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem,” said Shri. E Magesh, Director General, CDAC, India.

“Providing multiple foundry options and Post-Silicon Validation through partners like SmartSoC ensures startups are able to confidently transition from design to deployable products. By offering complimentary access to expert labs, test infrastructure, and engineering services, initiatives like this reduce both cost and risk, enabling Indian startups to compete globally,” said Dr. SD Sudarsan, Executive Director, CDAC Bangalore Centre.

Aligned with the Government of India’s Semicon India vision and the larger Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission, this collaboration underscores the importance of industry-government partnerships in building a robust innovation ecosystem.

About SmartSoC:

SmartSoC Solutions is a global provider of semiconductor design and embedded engineering services, specializing in turnkey project execution, custom ASIC development, and foundry services. With deep domain expertise and a solutions-driven approach, SmartSoC enables clients to accelerate growth and scale efficiently. Our collaborative, end-to-end approach enables leading semiconductor and system companies to streamline development cycles and bring differentiated silicon solutions to market with precision.

About ChipIN:

ChipIN is an initiative implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) and Chip to Startup (C2S) programes of MeitY, Government of India, aimed at strengthening India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. The ChipIN Centre at CDAC Bangalore is one of the world’s largest and most advanced semiconductor design infrastructure facilities, providing state-of-the-art EDA tools, IPs, prototyping facilities, and high-performance computing (HPC) resources to Indian startups, MSMEs, and academic institutions. This initiative empowers innovators to design and develop complex semiconductor devices in a cost-effective manner. By fostering strong collaboration between industry, academia, and government, ChipIN serves as a national design infrastructure backbone, accelerating innovation, reducing design cycles, and driving indigenous semiconductor development—thereby laying the foundation for a self-reliant and globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem in India.

India’s SmartSoC Partners with France’s Cortus to Advance Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing

SmartSoC Solutions Private Limited, an Indian semiconductor design and product engineering company, today announced a strategic partnership with Cortus S.A.S., a French semiconductor company renowned for its cutting-edge Intellectual Property (IP) solutions in secure identification technologies. This partnership aims to drive innovation and accelerate the development and manufacturing of SIM cards, Smart cards, banking cards, and e-passport chip solutions in India, establishing a robust domestic capability in secure and mission-critical chip design.

Founded in India, SmartSoC Solutions has built a reputation as one of the fastest-growing engineering service companies, offering very large scale integration (VLSI), embedded software, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-driven solutions to global customers. With over 1,400 engineers operating globally, SmartSoC Solutions has emerged as a key contributor to India's growing semiconductor ecosystem.

Cortus, headquartered in Montpellier, France, is a leading chip solution provider that leverages its broad IP portfolio, custom chip design capabilities, and advanced technologies to specialize in secure elements and semiconductor solutions. With over 17 billion chips deployed worldwide, Cortus technology powers a wide range of applications, including SIM cards, smart cards, banking cards, cryptocurrency, pay-TV, e-passports, as well as automotive, consumer, and industrial sectors.

Shipping approximately 1.2 billion chips annually, Cortus is now sharpening its focus on automotive, avionics, and artificial intelligence (AI) chipsets. It delivers complete system-on- chip (SoC) solutions designed to meet the stringent safety, security, and performance standards of modern vehicles. Cortus’ secure, energy-efficient, and scalable designs are trusted globally for identity protection, financial transaction security, and automotive-grade applications.

To support the growing demand for advanced, high-performance semiconductor solutions worldwide, Cortus has established strategic alliances across Europe, China, and India. These partnerships strengthen local design, development, and support capabilities, fostering closer collaboration with regional markets. Cortus is expanding this network to build a resilient, diversified ecosystem that accelerates innovation and delivers next-generation RISC-V solutions tailored for mission-critical and safety-sensitive applications.

Bharath Desareddy, CEO of SmartSoC Solutions

“SmartSoC Solutions is excited to collaborate with Cortus in bringing advanced secure chip technologies to India,” said Bharath Desareddy, CEO of SmartSoC Solutions. “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to enable secure and self-reliant silicon manufacturing in India. With Cortus’ proven IP and expertise in secure identification and our deep design and engineering capabilities, we are confident of delivering world-class chipsets tailored for the Indian and global markets.”

“We see India as a key market for secure identity and financial transaction chips,” said Michael Chapman, CEO of Cortus. “Our collaboration with SmartSoC reflects Cortus’ commitment to building global partnerships for local innovation. We are excited to work with a like-minded partner to drive sustainable and secure chip production in the region.”

With the government’s growing emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and recent policy pushes for secure digital identity and financial infrastructure, the timing is ripe for local innovation and manufacturing.

SmartSoC Solutions is a global provider of semiconductor design and embedded engineering services, specializing in turnkey project execution, custom ASIC development, and foundry services. With deep domain expertise and a solutions-driven approach, SmartSoC enables clients to accelerate growth and scale efficiently. Our collaborative, end-to-end approach enables leading semiconductor and system companies to streamline development cycles and bring differentiated silicon solutions to market with precision. Visit us at https://www.smartsocs.com

Cortus is a global fabless semiconductor company delivering high-performance RISC-V automotive chips up to 4 GHz capable of 4 instructions/cycle, with integrated AI inference optimized for computer vision. Cortus designs and supplies advanced RISC-V chips tailored for automotive, avionics, and AI-driven systems, combining high performance, energy efficiency, and functional safety to meet the most demanding industry requirements. Visit us at https://www.cortus.com